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// WADO // is a Japanese karate style founded in 1939 by [|__Hironori Ohtsuka__][|.] Wado kai or ryu, meaning the "Way of Peace and Harmony", is one of the four major styles of karate in Japan and perhaps the purest form of Karate-Do (//the way of the empty hands//). Trained in classical bujutsu (the techniques of the Samurai), Sensei Ohtsuka applied this outlook and experience to his teachings. Some of the harsher resistive or hard contact elements of sparring technique, typical of many karate styles, are not present in Wado. Sensei Ohtsuka rejected hardening certain parts of the body, such as hand conditioning, as useless preparation.

The aim of Wado karate is not merely perfection of the physical techniques of self-defence, but, the development of a mind that is tranquil yet alive, able to react intuitively to any situation. In Wado, as skill and knowledge are acquired through training and concentrated effort, the student is expected to develop inner strength and calmness of character, as well as the virtues of self-control, respect for others, and true humility. Karate-do for Sensei Ohtsuka is primarily a spiritual discipline. Basic techniques - punching, kicking, blocking, striking with open hand, joint twisting, and trapping techniques - kata (a sequence of techniques done in certain order against imaginary opponents), and prearranged and free style sparring comprise the training foundation of this style. Equally fundamental to Wado is Taisabaki, body shifting to avoid the full brunt of an attack, a technique derived from Japanese swordmanship. Kumite (sparring) is usually judged on a point system; one referee and four corner judges determine which techniques are given a point. In free sparring, there is no contact allowed to the head, below the waist except for foot sweeps, or to the spine; only light to medium contact is allowed to the torso. Attacks to the head and torso can all score points in a tournament, therefore, Wado karate-ka tend to fight with explosive, close movements with an emphasis on well-controlled techniques. **[|Home Page] [|Terminology] [|Kata] [|Links] [|Tatsuo Suzuki] [|Junior Section]** **It is An Art Which Systematically Tempering Every Part of the Body, Giving Special Attention to the Hands and Feet, Enables One to Act Effectively In the Moment of Crisis, This Training Provides Protection with Nothing More Than the Empty Hand.** **Again, It is A Sport in Which Opponents Compete in Techniques Which Require Skilful and Even Movement of the Body.** **With the Entire Body Enabled in the Execution of a Technique, Enlisting Both Good Control and Will Power. One Seeks to Gain the Advantage of Their Adversary.** **However, The Most Important Objective of this Art is, That Through the Process of Overcoming Every Trial, and Out of the Sweat of Training, One Must Strive to Perfect the Human Character.**